MOSCOW, May 19 (RIA Novosti) – Russian Emergency Minister Vladimir Puchkov ordered an increase in Russian humanitarian aid on Monday for Serbia as the country grapples with the worst flooding it has seen in a century.
"Humanitarian aid, primarily medications and food for the flooded Serbian towns, must be increased," Puchkov said in a teleconference.
The minister called for delivery of food supplies "especially to distant communities" and ordered a humanitarian aid plane be dispatched on Monday.
Two Russian multipurpose Ka-32 helicopters are expected to arrive in Serbia on Monday. Russia sent 10 lifeboats and other equipment to the flood-hit country last week.
Some 72 Russian rescuers working in Serbia have already helped evacuate more than 2,000 people, including 604 children, since the worst flood in a century hit the Balkan country last week.
Serbia, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, has declared a state of emergency in most regions of the country. On Thursday, Serbia asked Russia and the European Commission for humanitarian aid.
